There was a lot to unpack in Wolves chairman Jeff Shi’s recent interview.
Fans haven’t been too chipper since the transfer window slammed shut on Monday.
Winless in the league, Wolves haven’t looked great, it’s fair to say.
Jeff Shi sat down to discuss the burning questions, covering everything from not meeting the expected number of signings to Rayan Ait-Nouri’s £36 million transfer fee.
He is of the opinion that the transfer window was a success, but Wolves fans don’t necessarily agree.
Wolves fans far from convinced by Jeff Shi’s assessment of the window
Fosun’s popularity has dwindled in recent years, and this summer’s mass exodus worsened things somewhat. The lack of compensation for these exits in the buying market has tipped many over the edge.
It didn’t take long for this interview to rile up some fans, with one saying: “10 seconds in and we’re in full propaganda mode. Just sell up.”
The propaganda he refers to is Shi’s first statement, that this was a good window for Wolves.
“You lost me at ‘I thought it was a good window,'” says another disgruntled supporter.
Patience is wearing thin with Fosun and Shi.
So much so, that one fan didn’t even watch the interview before having their say: “Not wasting my time. If he thinks more lies are going to quell the supporters, he’s wrong. Fosun out. Jeff out.”
But no grievances with Pereira it seems: “If Jeff genuinely thinks that’s a good window and he’s backed Vitor then he’s not fit to be in the role. It’s been a complete shambles.”
Similarly: “Now do the same interview with VP and ask if he feels he had a good window and was backed. I suspect the answer will be very different to Jeff’s.”
Fans aren’t happy with the direction Shi is taking the club in, sick of languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League.
This fan echoes that sentiment: “I love Wolves and will support them till the day I die, but the club needs a different strategy. Clearly, the last few seasons show it’s not working. Unless we can finish consistently in the top half of the table, we will struggle to attract the number 1 targets.”
Wolves are a long way from top-half quality
As regrettable as it is to say, the dream of a top-half finish is far beyond the horizon.
Wolves aren’t the only club who have their best players poached. Brighton and Bournemouth go through this every season, but they recruit smart and spend when needed to remain competitive.
Smart recruitment is not getting to deadline day and figuring out you have no other midfield targets.
Nor is turning a profit in the window when the squad has been gutted a competitive strategy.
As it stands, Wolves look like a team that will struggle this season. All three promoted sides have a win (or multiple) in the month of August, suggesting none of the relegation spots are set in stone.
Hopefully, Pereira can rediscover the magic he brought to the side last season, and this disappointment of a window doesn’t come back to haunt Shi and Fosun.